Causes

The causes of Sjogren's are unknown. Contributing factors may include:

Viral infections

Heredity

Hormones

Risk Factors

Factors that increase your risk for Sjogren's include:

Sex: female

Age: 40-60 years old

Other rheumatic or autoimmune diseases

Symptoms

Symptoms may include:

Red, burning, itching, and/or dry eyes

Dry mouth

Difficulty swallowing

Loss of taste and smell

Dry skin, nose, throat, and/or lungs

Swollen salivary glands

Severe dental cavities caused by dry mouth

Oral yeast infections

Vaginal dryness

Skin rashes

Joint and muscle pain

Fatigue

In some cases, other parts of the body are affected as well. These include:

Blood vessels

The nervous system

Organs such as the lungs, liver, pancreas, kidneys, and thyroid

Anti Ro antibodies are often present with Sjogren's. These may cross to the baby during pregnancy. In some cases, they can cause neonatal lupus or infant heartblock.

Diagnosis

This disease can affect many areas on your body. You may have to see several specialist before a final diagnosis is made. Dry eyes and mouth also increase with age. They can also be caused by medicine. The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.

Tests may include:

Blood tests—including rheumatoid factor and other tests used to detect and monitor autoimmune diseases

Chest x-ray
—a test that uses radiation to take a picture of structures inside the body, in this case the lungs

Lip
biopsy
—removal of a sample of lip tissue to look for inflammation in the accessory salivary glands located there

Schirmer test—placement of small pieces of paper between the lower eyelid and eyeball to see how much moisture is being produced

Slit-lamp examination—a detailed exam of the eye with an adjustable light

Urine test—to check kidney function

Treatment

There is no cure for Sjogren's. No treatment can restore the ability of the glands to produce moisture. Patients with Sjogren’s have an increased incidence of
non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
. They should be screened aggressively. The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms.

Treatments include:

Medication

To help relieve dryness:

Artificial tears, artificial saliva, and vaginal lubricants

Pilocarpine
—ocular and oral dryness

Cevimeline
—requires less frequent dosing than pilocarpine, may cause nausea

To relieve joint and muscle pain:

Aspirin
or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

To relieve inflammation / swelling:

Plaquenil
—antimalarial drug with anti-inflammatory properties

Steroids

Methotrexate
—a steroid-sparing agent

Lifestyle Measures

Mild exercise can help relieve stiffness in the joints.

To help relieve dry mouth, sip liquids often and suck on sugar-free candies.

Brush, floss, and see your dentist regularly. This can help to prevent cavities.

Use nonscented moisturizers to help relieve dry skin.

This condition is generally benign. However, people with severe cases are at increased risk for developing
lymphoma
. This is a cancer of the white blood cells. Your doctor will need to monitor you for this.

Prevention

There are no guidelines for preventing Sjogren's syndrome. The cause is unknown.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.